Convey product in a completely sealed system. The sprocket drive slowly pulls a heavy-duty chain through a fully enclosed pipe. As the chain moves your material through the pipe there is no chance for dusting, explosions or contamination issues.

Use less energy than other conveyors to move powders or bulk solids. The low-horsepower motor produces the slow, steady drag that cuts your energy costs.

One conveyor does the work of several, no problem. Configure your tubular drag chain conveyor to convey your product vertically, horizontally, at any angle and around corners. Need more than one inlet/outlet in your process? Add as many as you need.

Modular design allows for optimum conveying, including length, conveyor path, number of inlets or discharge outlets.

History of the Tubular Drag Conveyor

Henry Hapman invented the Tubular Drag Conveyor in 1945 in Detroit, Michigan. The concept for the totally enclosed, multi-plane conveyor came from his industrial manufacturing experience as a mechanical engineer. He recognized the need for a conveyor that could effectively move material from point to point when the distance between the two was not a clear path. Mr. Hapman knew as World War II was ending the focus of industrial manufacturing would shift from government to consumer. He saw the Tubular Drag Conveyor as the way to effectively move material the distance of a plant, providing inlet stations and discharge points where needed. The vision of Henry Hapman forever changed the manner in which dry material is moved in industrial production facilities. Over the years, others have attempted to copy the Hapman Tubluar Drag Conveyor, but never creating a true equal. The engineering, design, and material handling experience coupled with the unyielding passion for efficient, reliable operation are the elements that make the Hapman Tubular Drag Conveyor the premium mechanical conveyor of modern manufacturing.

The Tubular Drag Operation

The fundamental operation of the Tubular Drag Conveyor is a chain with flights that pull material through a sealed pipe circuit. The conveyor is sealed to upstream and downstream equipment by a hard flange or a flexible sleeve. The layout of the conveyor allows for pipe bends and multiple inlet and discharge points. The Tubular Drag Conveyor can be routed through multiple planes and in any direction. The capacity of the conveyor is determined by the diameter of the flight and the speed at which the chain assembly can be pulled through the pipe The equipment operates as a high torque/low speed.

Convey up to 50 cfm (1.416 cmm). A sprocket drive pulls a chain through a stationary outer casing. Flights attached at regular intervals along the chain convey material from inlet points to discharge points.

Get longer life from chain than steel cable. Chain is less prone to fatigue, wear and stretch than steel cable. As individual parts on the chain wear out you can replace them at a much lower cost and time expense than replacing the entire steel cable.

Work day-in, day-out with minimal chain wear. Heavy-duty chain allows you to start conveyor under load all day long.

Discharge 100% of your product. Hapman’s exclusive, self-cleaning discharge gate is rounded to the shape of the pipe so, unlike flat gates, there is no place for your product to get trapped.

Requires minimal maintenance. The automatic chain take-up idler makes adjustments as the chain stretches so you don’t have to do regular manual tightening.

Options

Custom-built systems convey your product effectively and reliably. Hapman's custom-built tubular drag systems move some of the toughest products up to hundreds of feet: hardened steel shot to bacon grease waste to fishmeal and bones to explosive materials. Paths are virtually limitless with multiple inlets and outlets. Our engineers can help you build a system based on your specific applications needs. In addition to optimum conveying, the sealed Tubular Drag Conveyor offers:

Process efficiency

Clean – Dust Free Plant Environment / worker safety

Excellent Material Integrity (degradation / segregation)

Low Energy Consumption

Minimal Maintenance Requirements

Brush Box Cleaning

Discharge Gate

Auto-Tensioner

Improve product flow-when you install mechanical vibration. An offset weight and hammer system taps on the tops of flights to dislodge material.

Fully discharge material-Hapman’s exclusive, self-cleaning discharge gate is rounded to the shape of the pipe so, unlike flat gates, there is no place for your product to get trapped.

Brush Box

Discharge Gate

Hapman Auto Tensioner

Specifications

The chart below represents the optimum convey rate for most materials based on average capacity in cubic feet/minute and pipe size. Actual capacities vary depending on the material type, its abrasiveness and flow character.

Chain Vs. Cable – Which Works Best?

During your evaluation of the best type of tubular conveyor to match your material handling needs, you will discover the cable vs. chain comparison. While every application has different requirements and measurements for value, we present some of the most common differences between the two types for your review.

Tubular Conveyor Chain vs Cable Comparison

EquipmentCharacteristics

Chain Conveyor

Cable Conveyor

Analysis

SizeAvailable

Six sizes available, ranging from 3" to 12"

Limited sizes

The wider range of size options in the tubular chain conveyor allows for a wider range in capacity options and proper sizing of the conveyor for optimum performance.

Flight Design

5 unique chain types and4 different flightmaterials

Only One

The combination and range of chain and flight options for the chain conveyor allow for optimal performance, creating the best combination against wear, temperature, and corrosion.

FlightChangingAbility

Individual flights can be replaced as needed.

Entire length of cable assemblymust be replaced.

The Tubular Drag Chain Conveyor needs minimal maintenance and downtime to replace only flights that show wear. The cable assembly requires a major maintenance shut down and maintenance time and expense to replace the entire cable assembly.

Starts/Stops Under Load

Can startand stopunder full load.

Cannot start under load.

The high torque/low speed design of the tubular chain conveyor allows the unit to be started under full load. The design of the cable conveyor does not allow for this operating condition, meaning that the conveyor must be empty on start-up. For batch operations or operations that require intermittent filling or movement, the cable conveyor would need to be emptied prior to starting the unit again.

Limited Maintenance

Yes

No

Cable can fray and break, typically extra cable lengths are kept on site for emergency replacement needs. One emergency shut-down can outweigh any difference in initial capital equipment purchase price.

LifeExpectancy

Long life

Limited life of both casing and cable assembly.

The Tubular Drag Chain Conveyor is constructed for durability and long-life. Many Tubular Drag Conveyors that have been in service for over 40 years.

Casing

Schedule 40 or 80 pipe

Schedule 10 tube

Less wear with the Sch 40 or Sch 80 pipe, resulting in a low maintenance, durable casing.

Connections

Heavy-duty welded flange

Compression coupling

The welded flanges of the chain conveyor provide support and rigidity for the pipe.

Literature & Technical Resources

The 6 Key Considerations for Selecting the Right Conveyor for Your Process

Selecting a conveyor for a batch or continuous processing application is not always as straightforward as you might think. In fact, it almost never is. Moving material consistently – at a rate that is in line with production requirements and in a manner...Read more.

In bulk material handling processes, there can be a lot of drama associated with the subject of material degradation. That’s because maintaining product integrity from start to finish is the key to material quality and a healthy bottom line...Read more.